22 ❙ WATTPoultryUSA
US broiler industry to expand
production in 2017?
The rise in broiler chicken hatching egg placements reported by the
USDA in October of 2016 signals lower chicken prices into early 2017.
BY MATT BEESON
Chicken buyers have taken notice that the U.S.
broiler industry is placing more hatching eggs and
an apparent expansion of chicken production is
under way.
Given the apparent expansion in broiler chicken
egg sets as of October of 2016, chicken breast prices will likely fall from $1.59 to $1.45 and maintain
a low monthly average during the first quarter of
2017. With a normal monthly price range, an absolute low in chicken prices of $1.20 is likely.
Broiler hatching egg placements and prices
2002-2016
20
Eggs set
Chicken price
15
% change
10
5
0
-5
-10
-20
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Source: Matt Beeson, Beeson & Associates; USDA egg sets as reported by the USDA during October 2016;
Urner Barry's Midwest select boneless/skinless breast, full butterfly, tender out quotes
The years 2004, 2005, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2016 saw increases of 3 percent or more in hatching egg
sets. Prices averaged down 7 percent in the five earlier years.
www.WATTAgNet.com ❙ January 2017
marinini | Bigstockphoto.com
-15

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page.
If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.